Nerd Culture Podcast

Often hailed as one of the greatest science fiction film series, the Alien series has some ups and downs, but is still one of my favourite series.

ALIEN

Released: 1979

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett,

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton, Yaphet Kotto, Veronica Cartright, Ian Holm

Plot: A mining ship investigates a suspected SOS, landing on a distant planet. There they discover a strange egg and the horror begins.

For: Successfully combines horror and sci-fi into a perfect blend. Stand out performances. The introduction of the Alien, one of the most iconic creatures in film, and Ripley, a well realised heroine. A landmark film.

Against: The multiple shots of the crew waking up is a bit much.

Favourite Scene: Too many to list them all – the chestburster, Dallas in the vents, the showdown between the crew and Ripley at the airlock.

Rating: 5 Lukes

ALIENS

Released: 1986

Directed by: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron, David Giler, Walter Hill

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Hess, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton

Plot: Fifty seven years after Ellen Ripley survived her disastrous ordeal, her escape vessel is recovered after drifting across the galaxy as she slept in cryogenic stasis. During this period LV-426 has been colonized, however all communication with the colony has been lost. The Company enlists Ripley to aid a team of tough, rugged space marines on a rescue mission, but the worst is yet to come.

For: Another sci-fi classic and Cameron’s best film. Cameron amps up the action without compromising plot and gives another facet to Ripley in her maternal bond with Newt.

Against: Nothing. Every scene is gold.

Favourite Scene: Everything! But if I have to specify, the Marines learn Ripley doesn’t like the corn bread (or androids), the first encounter with the Aliens, Ripley and Newt trapped with the face huggers, ‘Get away from her you bitch!’, the survivors discuss their future ‘Hey, maybe you haven’t been keeping up on current events, but we just got our asses kicked, pal! ‘.

Rating: 5 Lukes

ALIEN 3

Released: 1992

Directed by: David Fincher

Written by: Vincent Ward, David Giler, Walter Hill, Larry Ferguson

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance, Charles S Dutton

Plot: After escaping from LV-426, the ship carrying Ellen Ripley crashes onto a remote and inhabited ore refinery/male only prison. While they decide what to do with her, Ripley discovers the horrifying reason for her crash: An alien stowaway. As the alien matures and begins to kill off the inhabitants, Ripley is unaware that her true enemy is more than just the killer alien.

For: The story behind the making of this film is extraordinary. I highly recommend checking it out. The tunnel chases are well done, the alien itself looks interesting, the bit in the medical room is tense. Always good to see Charles Dance.

Against: Has some major flaws, especially in characterisation, SFX and pacing. It also kills off Hicks and Newt, which is a slap in the face.

Favourite Scene: Ripley comes face to face with the alien in the medical room

Rating: 2.5 Lukes

ALIEN RESURRECTION

Released: 1997

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Written by: Joss Whedon

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman

Plot: 200 years after her death, Ellen Ripley is revived as a powerful human/Alien hybrid clone who must continue her war against the Aliens.

For: The room of rejected Ripley clones, the basketball game, character interaction between the criminals is fun.

Against: The Newborn. You don’t have any reason to root for the Betty crew, they are all scumbag people smugglers after all.

Favourite Scene: Ripley finds the room of rejected Ripley clones

Rating: 1.5 Lukes

Let me know what you think. Agree/Disagree? Leave a Comment, I would love to hear from you!